A Cook County jury awarded nearly $80 million to a Chicago-area family following a fatal crash caused by a police chase that claimed the life of 10-year-old Da’Karia Spicer in 2020. Da’Karia’s father, Kevin Spicer, and her younger brother Dhaamir, then 5, survived with severe injuries.
On September 2, 2020, Kevin Spicer was driving with his children to pick up a laptop for Da’Karia to start remote learning. As they traveled through Auburn Gresham, police pursued a black Mercedes-Benz for a traffic stop violation. The driver sped toward the intersection, reaching nearly 90 mph. Despite Kevin’s attempts to swerve, the Mercedes collided with their vehicle, killing Da’Karia instantly.
“There is nothing you can do to replace that,” Kevin Spicer said tearfully in court. “I miss my daughter, and nothing is going to change that.”
After the crash, three suspects fled the Mercedes, but no arrests or prosecutions followed. The city initially denied fault, with then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot dismissing the chase as irrelevant.
However, police body camera footage released later showed officers running stop signs and driving recklessly. Attorney Patrick Salvi called it an “extreme danger,” stating, “This case speaks to the deepest depths of pain and loss. The bright shining star of the family was killed.”
During the trial, the city admitted responsibility but contested the damages, offering between $12 and $15 million. Family attorneys argued the loss was incalculable, noting that insurance providers obstructed an earlier $55 million settlement.
“The insurance companies gambled that a jury wouldn’t recognize this family’s profound loss,” said attorney Lance Northcutt.
The jury ultimately awarded $79.85 million after deliberating for under four hours.
Da’Karia, described as a cheerleader, Girl Scout, and geography lover, was remembered as the family’s “bright shining star.” Her brother Dhaamir suffered a fractured skull but recovered, though left with a visible scar.
The Spicer family’s lawyers plan to pursue further legal action against the city’s insurers. For Kevin Spicer, his last memory remains haunting: “Da’Karia, I’m with you. Take me with her.”
Link: Atlanta Black Star
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